THE LYCAN PRINCE AND THE SLAVE

Chapter 8

"Welcome all, to Prince Nathan's engagement ceremony. "

The crowd erupted in cheers and claps. The guests were clearly happy.

Despite knowing what the purpose of this grand ceremony was, Lizzy still felt a pang in her chest. She looked up, in search of the Prince, hoping to see a look of refusal or even revolt, but there was none. His face was neutral, like always. On his arm, Annalise was a full blown balloon of happiness. Lizzy would have left, but the duties that awaited her wasn't one to be ignored.

"Please wine and dine to your fill as you join us in this celebration. "

Again, claps were sounded as people went to the food cart to help themselves to refreshment. Everyone but one couple. The couple walked to the throne and gave their respect. Noticing how the Queen stood up to kiss the lady's cheeks, Lizzy understood that, that was the in-laws the Queen referred to.

She watched as the Queen looked around the ball in search of something. Lizzy waited patiently, till the queen's eyes landed on hers before she nodded at her. A simple action to express it was time for her to serve her guests. Lizzy moved to the food cart and picked up a tray before filling it with each type of refreshment available for the occasion. She placed the full tray perfectly in her arms before walking towards them. She made sure to keep a respectful distance between the high ranked when she arrived, as she waited for a command to come closer.

All through these, Lizzy kept her eyes downcast, knowing the Prince was there. She didn't want to fumble and be embarrassed because she was lost in the eyes of the man who was going to get engaged this night.

"Elizabeth. " The Queen called in a melodious voice.

Lizzy stepped forward in two steps and greeted. "My Queen."

She couldn't curtsy because of the heavy weight on her arms, she was sure the Queen understood. If she did curtsy, she would end up splattering everything on the tray.

"Help yourselves. I assure you the cakes are wonderful. " The Queen encouraged. Lizzy was relieved the Queen didn't find an issue with her lack of curtsy.

"Sandra, who is this?" She heard a new voice ask the Queen. She guessed it was Annalise's mother, seeing as she was the only female besides the Queen.

"Oh, this is Elizabeth. She is the palace's Baker."

"A Baker that clearly lacks manners, I see."

The crown became silent. Lizzy's heartbeat accelerated. Why was she getting this twice in a row? Wouldn't they give her a break? Couldn't they be reasonable and logical? A reasonable man would understand that this was too much for her to handle, curtsying and holding a large tray. Lizzy wanted to retort back, but she couldn't. Gone were the days her mouth would be as sharp as a knife. Now, she was just a maid with no lips.

"Apologies, my lady."

Of course lizzy had to apologise. She could dare offend the powerful. She bent her head low, waiting for a response, but it never came. Instead, a dark voice interrupted.

"A smart man would understand weight and curtsy don't go together. "

Light coughing was heard from Annalise. She sounded more like she choked on her saliva. Lizzy felt ease wash over her racing heart, but it was soon replaced with worry for the Prince. No one said another word, not even the king.

For seconds it was silent before the Prince decided to add more kerosene to the fuel.

"This is who you want me to marry? These are whom you want to be your in-laws? Father?"

This was becoming another thing. She should have known the Prince's stoic expression when his engagement ceremony was announced wa she calm before the storm.

"The Kingdom of Gordon needs a strong, wise, gentle and compassionate Queen. And when I look at Annalise, or her parents, I don't see that."

"Nathaniel!" The king, for the first time exclaimed, with pure irritation, anger and a hint of embarrassment."

"Father! This is not what we agreed on. I can't and I refuse to marry this lady. I have put up with the best I can. I am afraid, i can't keep up anymore."

"Nathaniel. You will keep shut and proceed with this engagement. " The king coerced in a thick voice but the Prince wasn't having it. He looked like a bomb that was going to explode, any minute from then on.

"No! You can't make me mate who my lycan doesn't find desirable, in character, body and scent."

"Nathan." The Queen spoke in a soft voice, as if pleading.

But Nathan was too far gone. "I shall take my leave."

And that was it, the Prince turned and walked away, leaving the ball room without a single glance. The hall became quiet, catching on the recent events that took place.

Lizzy slowly retreated her steps, going back to the corner of the once upon a time populated ball room. Guests who had arrived had taken the clue to leave because the Prince to begin with, was no where to be found in the ball room. The sad expression on the Queen's face was visible, for all to see. Annalise's parents were still red in the face from that terrible insults the Prince had thrown their way. Annalise on the other hand, had clear lines of tear drops that rolled down her face. Good riddance.

Lizzy walked to the entrance, after discarding the tray and left the dinning Hall. She breathed in breaths of fresh air before marching down to her room. Her palms moistened, for she was nervous about going to her room. She knew the Prince would be there, waiting for her, like he did last time. Her heart still had mixed feelings about it. She was extremely happy that the Prince didn't proceed with this engagement. If anything, that just proved to her, how truthful Nathaniel was about his desire for her.

His lycan wanted to be with her? His lycan chose her?

When she arrived at her room, she twisted her hands in anxiousness. She had a small smile on her face, that was immediately wiped out the minute she entered the room. The room was cold and just as empty, exactly ow she left it.

She doubted the Prince had even stepped foot inside. With a disappointed heart, she dressed herself for bed before slipping into the warm covers.

Minutes went by, then an hour, Lizzy couldn't sleep. Her thoughts were still with the Prince. On a second thought, Lizzy stood abruptly from the bed and cloaked herself with her night robe before walking out.

She didn't know what took over her, all she knew was that she had to see Nathaniel. Hell be cursed for what this Prince has done to her whole being!

She took soft steps inside the Prince'squarters. It was smart to not wear shoes this late at night. It would have echoed against the cold hard floor.

The closer she got to Nathaniel's chambers, the more she cursed herself for allowing her heart to do the thinking for her brain.

Like expected, his guard was there, protecting the doors to his quarters. Reynolds stared straight ahead, his muscular body right in front of the double doors.

Lizzy stood in front of Reynolds before speaking in soft tunes. "I request an audience with the Prince."

"The Prince has retired for the night. " Reynolds didn't even hesitate to retort back.

Lizzy frowned. She was confused as to how alien Reynolds was acting. To the best of her knowledge, she had done nothing to offend the guard.

"The Prince hasn't yet retired for the night. His chamber is well illuminated. " alizzy insisted.

"The Prince has..."

Reynolds was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, revealing the Prince. Lizzy knew the Prince was looking at her, but her gaze was still on Reynolds.

"You are dismissed. " Nathaniel ordered.

Lizzy knew the Prince was instructing his guard, even though his gaze was on hers and it seemed, that Reynolds misunderstood.

"You have been dismissed."

"Not her , Reynolds. You."

Lizzy almost burst out laughing. She enjoyed the gradual look of realisation on Reynolds face. Reynolds turned to look at the Prince before taking a bow. "My duty is to protect you, my Prince. "

"You are dismissed Reynolds. Retire for the night. "

Reynolds looked like he would argue, but on a second thought, he nodded before walking away, leaving Lizzy and Nathaniel, alone.

Now that Lizzy was alone with him, she was at a loss for words. She connected her eyes to his ice blue ones. She watched his beautiful face in admiration, this time, taking note of the stress lines on his face. Nathan stepped aside, allowing her to enter his chamber.

His chamber smelt just like him. Lizzy walked over to the window and enjoyed the view for seconds before turning to face him.

"Elizabeth."

"Nathaniel." Lizzy whispered in a heart beat.

Silence took over again. The only thing that could be heard was Nathaniel's gaze on her.

"Are you okay?" Lizzy asked. Now that she had asked the question, it sounded stupid. Who would have thought a soft female lycan will ever ask a matured strong lycan if he was okay. This was amusing to Nathaniel. It had him in chuckles.

Lizzy smiled. This was the first time she came close to witness the Prince chuckling. She watched him with keen interest, clearly captivated by how handsome his face morphed into with just a chuckle. She was extremely pleased, that he had chuckled because of her.

"I am, now that you're here with me. "

Lizzy blushed, the bright red print on her face as evidence. "I was..worried about you, that is why."

Immediately she said that statement, Nathan's ice blue eyes turned to a darker shade. This was his lycan, Lizzy guessed. Growing up with a lot of lycans and being one, she was taught to identify immediately when a person's lycan had resurfaced.

"Elizabeth. "

She guessed right. This voice wasn't Nathaniel's. It was darker and rougher than Nathaniel's normal voice.

"Nathan."

The lycan marched towards her with will and determination. He didn't stop till he was right in front of her. He first of all sniffed her, by taking in deep breaths.

"We desire you."

That voice, that tone, this close! Lizzy was out of words. What else could she say?

"Submit to us."

The lycan is a dominating one. Didn't take Lizzy long to figure it out.

"Your scent is divine."

Lizzy gripped Nathan's shoulder blade as she felt her knee begin to wobble. His words made her so weak, she needed support. Her head was spinning around, in a web of confusion. She felt her panties get wet, as her middle began to throb.

"Nathan." Lizzy whispered in laboured breaths as she inclined closer to him, pressing her breasts against his hard chest.

"Nathan." Lizzy whispered again, as she blindly wiggled her body, her lips searching for his.

"Elizabeth. "

The voice now was softer than the Lycans voice. She knew that it was Nathaniel now,not his lycan.

"Nathan." She begged. Her body was on fire with need. She wanted anything that will take the burn of the passion away, and that was only possible with Nathan. She needed his hands on her body. She wanted to be touched. She felt the goosebumps decorating her skin, just from the thought of him touching her.

"Hmm?" He answered as he gripped her chin, making her look at him squarely in the eyes.

Lizzy didn't know where she got the courage from, but the next thing she knew, she had reached out between their bodies, taking away one of the hands that gripped her chin, placing it on one of her soft breasts.

Lizzy and Nathaniel moaned at thesame time, each enjoying how contact of their skin gave them pleasure. But their pleasure was short-lived immediately a knock sounded on the door.

"Nathan. I demand to speak to you at once!" Came the King's authoritative voice.

Hell be damned!